(19)

(11)

EP 0 944 432 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 29.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/39 (21) Application number: 98952267.0 (22) Date of filing: 13.10.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01L 9/ 06( . ) B01L 9/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1998/021553 (87) International publication number: WO 1999/019068 (22.04.1999 Gazette 1999/16)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 15.10.1997 US 19970950551 (71) Applicant: POINT PLASTICS INCORPORATED Petaluma, CA 94954 (US)	(72) Inventor: TAGGART, Thomas Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (US) (74) Representative: Sanderson, Michael John, et al  MEWBURN ELLIS York House 23 Kingsway London WC2B 6HP London WC2B 6HP (GB)